Both poker and blackjack are classic table games you’ll see in pretty much all casinos. Needless to say they are both popular in their own right but there are a few things that set them apart. Some might say that poker is considered a better game than blackjack.
This has to do with the winning potential but at the same time, poker is harder to play.
Blackjack is Simple
While some might like to wager on poker, it’s actually quite a challenging game. It takes a long time to figure out the ins and outs of poker. Blackjack is a simpler game and far less intimidating for a new player. Many people will try blackjack over poker and then it becomes their game.
All you have to do is know the value of the cards and use a bit of logic when it comes to whether you want to hit or stand. As players get better, they can gain the house edge by counting cards. There is some strategy but that doesn’t make it complicated by any means.
Blackjack is Better for Introverts
The personality of a player can also have some bearing on what game they choose. In poker, there’s a lot of banter between players.
For those who are new to the game, this can be highly distracting. Blackjack is less intimidating because you’re not playing against a bunch of other people. You just play against the house.
Blackjack is a Player Against the Casino
When you play blackjack, you’re playing against the casino. So it’s you against the house edge as opposed to you playing against other players.
Playing poker is a lot more unpredictable because you don’t know the experience and skills of other players. When you play blackjack, there’s a lot less variables.
You Can Control the House Edge in Blackjack
Blackjack does have a built-in house edge. If you’re new to the game, it could be as high as 4%. The house edge will be reduced by a substantial amount if you follow a solid strategy. You can reduce it down to 0.5%. This equates to losing 50 cents for every $100 you bet.
To gain the advantage, you want to learn how to keep track of the cards. You can edge up your advantage by around 1% if you’re good at it.
In Poker You Have to Play Against Others
Like we mentioned, you have to play against others in poker. Blackjack is less intimidating because you’re only playing with the dealer. A big part to poker is playing with others as opposed to playing against the house.
The casino takes a rake (taxes) from the winning player. When you’re playing against others, you are going to have to be better than everyone else at the table in hopes to win. As a new player, this is extremely difficult. This is perhaps why a lot of players stick to blackjack.
Blackjack is Easier to Pick Up
While poker might be exciting and you have a chance to win a lot of money, it’s also a riskier game. Blackjack is a lot less dramatic and you’re playing against the casino house edge as opposed to against players. When you’re playing blackjack, you face a one-half to two percent house edge. If you use the basic strategies of blackjack, you have a greater chance to winning.
It doesn’t take long to figure this out either. If you use an eccentric strategy (like your intuition), the house edge is up to four times higher. There are plenty of blackjack strategy guides out there that make it easy to learn very quickly. In fact, you can practice the strategy of blackjack without ever playing a game.
Then you can play your first game and win at a consistent level. It really is good as a beginner’s game. To beat the game, you take some simple steps like the ones below.
- Pick beatable games.
- Using basic strategies for each type of blackjack.
- A proper card counting technique including Hi-Lo and Speed Count.
- The right betting spread when the hand favours the casino or when it favors a player.
- Knowing the changes, you can take in the basic strategy based on the count at that moment in a blackjack game.
Card Counting Can Be Learned Quickly
The strategies to win at poker can take a long time to master. This can be a deterrent for those who want to enjoy a game with a chance to win a little.
Blackjack however, can be learned quite quickly. It can take less than a few months to learn how to card count effectively. You have to keep the count even when it’s noisy inside a casino, which might be the hardest part of it all. If you can maintain your concentration, you’ll be able to use your strategies effectively.
A few more things to consider is that you’re playing against the house. The house doesn’t view players that can beat them favourably. There is a limit to card counting when you’re playing at a casino. When you feel there’s a hand that warrants a big money wager, do it.
Payout percentages are based on taking advantage of the wins when they come along. If you bet small even through you know you’ve got a winning hand, you may not keep enough of a balance to keep on playing.
Final Thoughts
When comparing poker and blackjack, the two have their positives and negatives. Poker pays out a lot more cash and it’s more exciting. However, it could take you a long time to master it and win among the other players.
Blackjack is more accessible for players, and you can play online live blackjack at Bovada. Increase your winning potential through the basic strategies. More people are going to start with blackjack and as a result may never play poker at all. The ease of blackjack is what makes it more popular than poker.
